Press Releases

Saudi Ministry of Defense Daily Briefing: Operation Decisive Storm

April 15, 2015

The following is a summary of the daily press briefing held today in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on the developments of Operation Decisive Storm. The briefing was conducted by Brig. Gen. Ahmed bin Hasan Asiri, advisor in the Office of the Minister of Defense.

Houthi militias’ military capabilities have been greatly weakened following the abandoning of a number of Yemeni military brigades, including the 123rd, 127th and the 133rd Brigades.

Houthi militias are conducting random and isolated operations to re-deploy tanks towards Aden and other locations.

Houthi militias also attempted to deploy airplanes from the Yemeni military. These planes were originally intended for use by the Yemeni air force against the Houthi militia. When the Houthis moved the planes, coalition forces launched an immediate attack and destroyed the aircrafts.

Coalition forces have air dropped weapons and medical support the tribesmen and people's committees.

Coalition forces yesterday detected Houthi militias in the Saada region, near Midi port, Sana'a, Hodeida, Ibb, Al-Baida and Aden. The coalition forces directed their operations to those areas to stop these movements and prevent redeployment.

Saudi Land Forces and Saudi Border Guards are targeting Houthi militia assembly places and their movements along the border. There are almost daily movements by the militia towards the Saudi southern borders, mainly in Najran. The Land Forces yesterday launched an operation against the militia.

Iran announced that it is sending ships into international waters. Coalition forces have not detected any movements within Yemen’s territorial waters.

Coalition forces will not allow anyone to supply the Houthi militias and is ready to act in case smuggling occurs. They will destroy any supplies upon its arrival at any Yemeni port.

Vessels navigating in Yemen’s territorial waters must receive prior authorization from the coalition and are subject to thorough inspections for contrabands.

Operation Decisive Storm has achieved many of its objectives, including absolute air dominance, preventing the Houthi militias from taking advantage of the ballistic missiles and the Yemen air forces, disrupting the movement of these forces and preventing them from traveling to the south of Yemen.

The media is a witness to the Houthi militias’ crimes.

Yemeni military personnel who rejoin the legitimate government of Yemen will be treated like any other Yemeni citizen. The coalition expects larger numbers of military units to abandon the Houthis and their allies and rejoin the legitimate Yemeni government.

Iran has been arming and training the Houthi militia, which is responsible for the killing of innocent citizens. No one can deny that Iran created, supported and armed the Houthi militia.

The coalition’s military aim to stop Iran’s military support for the militias. Iran’s political initiatives, however, will be addressed by politicians.

Contact

The Embassy of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
601 New Hampshire Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20037